Cutting Dependencies and Staying Away From the Herd

Preppers are continually looking for new ways to improve their independence come the SHTF. We are constantly improving our preps, from evaluating the latest gadgets to learning new skills. But to really assert our independence we must start cutting our dependencies now. We can’t claim to be independent if we find ourselves still relying on the systems in this world that essentially keep us enslaved to it.

Independence doesn’t come naturally or easily. We live in a country where most systems are intertwined and dependent on one another. Most Americans are dependent on this country’s infrastructure to the point where they are totally lostduring a crisis where the lights go out for a week or water becomes unavailable. That reality is not only frightening but also a shame when we consider our roots and the independent nature it took to establish our nation.

Our society is now controlled by those who want us to eagerly hand over our resources to them in return for easy solutions to our problems. We are no longer told to work hard for what we have. Instead, we are told to go easy on ourselves. We are brainwashed to believe that even though we can’t afford something, we deserve it.

Avoid Debt

Many Americans fall into this dependent thinking. On average, individuals in this country owe $7,000 in credit card debt. In essence, they have allowed themselves to become dependent on someone else for their financial needs. If you are one of the millions in this situation, start working now cut your financial dependency on easy credit. As preppers, we can’t allow ourselves to blindly follow the herd mentality of most other Americans. It is no small wonder there are so many cash advance stores and title loan shops in every community.  If you find yourself deep in debt and don’t know what to do tap into your prepper mentality and look to see what resources are available.

It will take some discipline and may be a long slow trudge, but getting out of debt will free you up to use your resources for your enrichment, not someone else’s.  If you need some incentive on paying down your debt, look at this infographic on credit payment comparisons.

Avoid Impulse Buying

We are all guilty of this. But the question is how often do we fall for it? Impulsive behavior can be deadly for a prepper in the SHTF. It is best practice now to teach ourselves to identify these marketing ‘traps’ and develop the discipline to tell ourselves ‘no.’ Again, it is a waste of one of our current resources in addition to undermining the very discipline we will need to rely on during an extended crisis. If we think we must have everything that is tossed in front of us now, how long do we really think we’ll last when we have to get by on very little?

This is the season of giving, but unfortunately it can also be a time of racking up the debt. Plan ahead before shopping and don’t make unplanned purchases. If possible, pay in cash but if not make every effort to keep from paying interest on credit. Otherwise, those great “door busters” will cost you a lot more than their normal price.

Avoid Buying for Convenience

Like all things enjoyed in moderation, going out to dinner isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. However, too many Americans have developed the habit of eating out nearly all the time. If we must rely on others to prepare a significant number of meals for us then how can we claim to be independent? And how will that dependence hamper our efforts to feed ourselves in the SHTF. Buying goods for convenience, especially food related items, is another dangerous practice for a prepper.

Learning to cut our dependencies to these three traps will not only free up our money for needed resources but will help us develop the discipline and self-sufficiency we’ll rely on in the near future. During any future time of extended disaster or chaos, if we don’t have the mental discipline cultivated in the present it won’t matter how much preparations we have then.

Melissa Lane, All Self Sustained